On 2010-01-23 10:27, Hakalugi wrote:It just needs some Tikis from the defunct Hawaiiana Hotel.

Now that would be nice, but I doubt they're ever gonna do that. Though I am sure that many Disney artists wanted to have Tikis in there, they, Disney, because of who they are, will have to tiptoe around the political incorrectness of Tikis in their resort in Hawaii. It would simply be a slam dunk for native Hawaiian organizations to find Disney messing with their ancient religious icons on their "own turf", at least in Disney style, it's like asking for protests.
If at all, they will have them as authentic reproductions, museum style, with politically correct descriptions. (Kinda like the Hawaiiana Hotel ones )

This is not a value judgment for either side, just a theory on the realities of the situation. Then again, I might be wrong. But I am very curious if even the word "Tiki" will get mentioned.

...AS I just remembered I had already remarked on Page 1 of this thread.

On 2010-01-23 10:27, Hakalugi wrote:It just needs some Tikis from the defunct Hawaiiana Hotel.

...
If at all, they will have them as authentic reproductions, museum style, with politically correct descriptions. (Kinda like the Hawaiiana Hotel ones )
...

Exactly! Notice I didn't say Tikis like the ones at the Hawaiiana, but actually from the Hawaiiana. It could be a loophole to avoid complaints. But then again, I suppose some sourpuss would still object.

Disney Senior Vice President Joe Rohde said Tuesday that "aulani" means "the place that speaks for the great ones" or "the place that speaks with deep messages."

Quote:

We want this resort destination to reflect the vibrant culture that surrounds it. The name ‘Aulani’ expresses a connection to tradition and deep story-telling — and its roots are here in this land,” said Joe Rohde

gives you some insight into what approach they're taking with this hotel. It's not called Disney's Hawaiian Vacation Club or Disney's Old Hawaiian, like most of their Florida hotels are named.

Hanford, as I assumed, that sounds like extreme cultural correctness. I am very curious if they take their efforte "to reflect the vibrant culture that surrounds it" as far as displaying Tikis, or if it will be all feather cloaks, fish hooks, gourds, and other arts and crafts stuff that has been mostly utilized for representing Hawaiian culture in the islands over the past 30 years.

If they will have god heads, they will certainly be called "ki'i", not Tikis.

On 2010-01-23 16:04, hanford_lemoore wrote:I think that this quote from the press release:

Quote:

Disney Senior Vice President Joe Rohde said Tuesday that "aulani" means "the place that speaks for the great ones" or "the place that speaks with deep messages."

Quote:

We want this resort destination to reflect the vibrant culture that surrounds it. The name ‘Aulani’ expresses a connection to tradition and deep story-telling — and its roots are here in this land,” said Joe Rohde

gives you some insight into what approach they're taking with this hotel. It's not called Disney's Hawaiian Vacation Club or Disney's Old Hawaiian, like most of their Florida hotels are named.

If the "Great ones" are the Kahunas, and disney is attempting to focus on tradition, hopefully they will simply emulate Pu'uhonau o Honaunau (Place of Refuge):
After all, the Tiki on the right has a happy smile!

"For starters, I wanted to share a recent aerial photo of the work-in-progress on Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai`i. I love this one because I think it gives you a great feeling for the beauty of the location as well as a sense of what the Resort will look like when it’s completed. In the middle of the central courtyard you can see the unusual structure that will become the lava outcropping, part of the big water play area at Aulani. The low white building taking shape to the upper left of that, down by the beach, will be the Resort’s signature `Ama `Ama restaurant.

Another part of the special Aulani guest experience will be the interior 'look' of the Resort, brought to life by the many pieces of art and décor created by local artists. Fun, joyous, unexpected pieces – modern, historic, traditional and abstract – are being created by a diverse array of remarkable creative talents."

Also on that blog (link posted above) is a video elaborating on their approach to the resort.

"Who are these figures playfully hiding in the foliage around the site of Aulani? They might be the Menehune. According to Hawaiian legend, the little Menehune (men-neh-HOO-nay) are shy folk who come out mostly at night. They are said to be gifted, possibly magical, craftspeople and if you come across a work-in-progress bridge or canoe (as you just might, when visiting Aulani), chances are it’s the work of the Menehune.

You may not spot them right away, but when Aulani opens to guests August 29, 2011, the Menehune will be there, represented by carvings concealed throughout the resort – under tables, in the forest and hidden in corners where they are most likely to be first discovered by kids. The Menehune will have had a hand, unseen, in the construction of Menehune Bridge, the children’s interactive water and slide play area at the resort. And the legend of the Menehune will animate the Menehune Adventure Trail, an interactive journey of discovery that will bring their story to life for Aulani guests.

Along with the fun of their adventures and concealment (“like Easter eggs,” as Imagineer Joe Rohde says), the design of the Menehune statues in Aulani demonstrates the research and dedication to Hawaiian culture that the Disney Imagineers have put into the creation of the resort. Various versions of the Menehune legend depict them as mischievous elf-like characters or as a real, ancient people who lived freely on the islands before being forced into hiding by the arrival of Polynesians from Tahiti.

The legend of the real, ancient Menehune suggests that some of them found refuge on Necker Island, northwest of Kaua`i, and that their life on the island is suggested by mysterious images found in the ancient stone structures there. The Aulani Imagineering team, working with subject matter experts and reviewing the collection at the Bishop Museum of history and culture on O`ahu, took cues from the Necker Island images in designing the Menehune who will populate Aulani."